Scholarships for Americans Pursuing Full Degrees Abroad
By Muntasir • Published Sep 18, 2026 • Updated Sep 18, 2026 • Study Abroad, US Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fulbright, Marshall, Rhodes, Chevening, and DAAD fund thousands of Americans studying abroad every year, from one-year master's degrees to multi-year doctorates. Each has its own country focus, funding level, and application timeline, so check eligibility early since most deadlines fall a full year before you would start.
🎓 Fulbright funds over 1,800 awards a year for US citizens to study, research, or teach English abroad, in any country and field.
💵 Rhodes covers Oxford tuition plus a stipend of about £1,700 a month, funding two to three years at Oxford.
📩 Marshall funds one to two years of graduate study for a master's degree, or up to three years for a PhD, at any UK university for US citizens.
Chevening funds one-year master's degrees in the UK, open to applicants worldwide including the US.
DAAD funds German study and research at every level, from undergraduate exchange to postdoctoral research.
Fund a Full Degree Abroad, Not Just a Semester
A handful of prestigious, fully funded scholarships exist specifically to send Americans abroad for graduate study, research, or a full degree, not just a semester exchange. They are competitive and most require you to apply about a year before you would start, so build the timeline into your plans early. Below are the major programs, what they fund, and who qualifies.
Fulbright US Student Program
The Fulbright US Student Program funds US citizens to study, conduct research, or teach English abroad, with over 1,800 awards available annually across academic disciplines including creative and performing arts. You choose a host country from the program's list, and each country sets its own project types and preferences.
Eligibility: US citizens who are either currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, or who hold a bachelor's degree by the award start date with no more than about seven years of relevant professional experience and no PhD already in hand.
Deadline: the 2027-2028 cycle deadline is Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 5pm Eastern Time. Fulbright runs on an annual cycle, so if you miss one year's deadline, plan for the next.
Apply through your undergraduate institution's Fulbright program advisor if you are a current student, or as an at-large applicant if you are not.
Marshall Scholarship
The Marshall Scholarship, funded by the British government, sends US citizens to pursue graduate study at any UK university for one to two years for a master's degree, or up to three years if pursuing a PhD/DPhil. It was created as a British gesture of gratitude following the Marshall Plan and remains one of the most selective awards open to Americans, funding a small cohort of scholars each year.
Eligibility: US citizens who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year US institution, with a strong academic record.
Applications open in the spring and close in the fall for study starting the following academic year, through regional selection committees.
Check current cohort size, funding amount, and exact deadlines on the Marshall Scholarship site before you apply, since these details are set fresh each cycle.
Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship funds graduate study at the University of Oxford. It covers Oxford course fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (about £1,700 a month) for living expenses, application and visa fees, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
US applicants apply through state-based constituencies rather than one national pool, and eligibility and selection criteria are published on the Rhodes Trust site.
Funding runs two years initially, with a possible third year depending on your course of study.
Applications for a given entry year open roughly a year in advance. Check the current cycle's deadline and eligibility rules on the Rhodes Trust site directly.
Chevening Scholarship
Chevening is a UK government scholarship program that funds one-year master's degrees in the UK, open to applicants from around the world, including the US. It covers university tuition, a monthly living stipend, and travel costs to and from the UK.
Eligibility generally requires a completed undergraduate degree, relevant work experience, and a commitment to return to your home country for a period after the award, though exact requirements are set each cycle.
Applications typically open in August and close in the fall for study starting the following academic year. Confirm exact dates on the Chevening site, since the window is short and does not extend.
DAAD Scholarships for Germany
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) funds American students and researchers at every level: undergraduate study and research stays, full graduate degrees, PhD research, and postdoctoral positions in Germany. Rather than one single award, DAAD runs a scholarship database covering dozens of specific programs with different funding levels, durations, and eligibility rules depending on your field and academic stage.
Search the DAAD Scholarship Database directly for programs matching your degree level and field, since award amounts and deadlines differ by program.
The DAAD Regional Office serving the US and Canada can answer eligibility questions specific to your situation.
Building Your Application Timeline
Start researching a year or more before you want to start your degree, since most of these deadlines fall a full academic year ahead of the start date.
Ask your undergraduate institution whether it has a Fulbright program advisor or a fellowships office, since many schools run an internal endorsement process before you submit to the national competition.
Line up recommendation letters early. Competitive scholarships like these usually require several strong letters, and writers need lead time.
Apply to more than one program if your profile fits several, since each has a different applicant pool and selection process.